The alley reeked of sweat and rot. Nova stumbled backward, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. A thug twice his size lunged again, swinging a rusted blade. Nova ducked, barely dodging the strike, and slammed his shoulder into the man's gut.
"You're fast," the thug spat, staggering, "but you're not getting away."
Nova didn't answer. His fists were raw, his breathing ragged, but he refused to give in. He had no choice but to fight—if he lost, the little money he had would be gone. He circled warily, waiting for the thug to make the next move.
Just as the thug raised his weapon again, a sharp voice rang out, echoing through the alley.
"That's enough."
A figure clad in silver armor stepped from the shadows, the crest of the royal family gleaming on his cloak. The thug froze. Nova instinctively backed away, recognizing the emblem immediately.
"A knight captain...!" the thug mumbled in panic, dropping his weapon.
The knight walked forward with deliberate grace, his gloved hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"You dare assault a citizen? I should take your head for that alone."
The thug fell to his knees, shaking. "P-please, sir, I didn't know—"
The knight didn't wait. With one swift movement, he shackled the man and called over his shoulder. "Guards will take care of him. As for you—" He turned to Nova, his tone shifting.
Nova blinked, wiping the blood from his chin. "Are you here to save me?"
"I'm not here to save anyone," the knight replied coldly. He reached into his coat and pulled out a thick envelope. The seal of the administrative office was stamped in blood-red wax. "This is for you."
Nova took it hesitantly, but the knight's voice turned heavier, more commanding.
"You're out of time, Nova. Two months left. You know what that means."
The knight gave him a final, unreadable look before turning and vanishing into the mist.
—
In a dimly lit room, Nova sat hunched over a battered desk, his hands pressed against his head. His brown hair was unkempt, and his clothes hung loosely on his shoulders like they didn't belong to him anymore.
His eyes lingered on the letter, the bold script from the administrative office standing out like a death sentence.
Nova, you only have two months before the deadline. Please do not forget to pay your tax.
His heart pounded. A wave of panic swept over him—but worse than the panic was the sheer weight of helplessness that followed. His thoughts spun in circles, but no path led to salvation. Only the deadline—relentless, inescapable—echoed through his mind.
Nova dug his nails into his thighs, gritting his teeth and clutching the letter tightly.
"Why are you reminding me of this now?"
Frustration boiled to the surface. He slammed his fist down on the desk. The sharp crack broke the silence, and the lamp beside him tipped, crashing to the floor in a rain of glass and sparks. He didn't flinch. His hands trembled too much to care.
The room, already choked with dusty air and scattered belongings, felt even smaller. The torn curtains, the cobwebbed windows, the stale scent of neglect—it all pressed in on him.
He stood abruptly, breath ragged, eyes darting to the door.
"Can I run away?"
The thought was wild, desperate—but real. He staggered a step, then collapsed back into the chair.
"I have to do something," he whispered, barely audible. "Before the deadline… or I'll die."
In the Arkon Kingdom, every adult citizen was required to pay an annual tax of 100,000 rubies. Failure to do so carried only one punishment—execution.
To outsiders, it might seem barbaric. But within the kingdom, no one questioned it. The law was absolute. The Royals had ruled for centuries, and no soul dared rebel.
Leaving wasn't an option either. Outside the kingdom, the world was ruled by monsters. Even the strongest warriors perished within days. Ordinary people like Nova stood no chance.
And Nova—an orphan scraping by in the slums—had no family, no inheritance, no one to lean on. His modest salary was just enough to keep himself clothed and fed.
How, in such a world, was he supposed to find a hundred thousand rubies?
He began pacing, his fingers gripping his arms like restraints. His thoughts spiraled again.
'What should I do?'
Could he find a second job? Impossible—his current work already left him exhausted. Could he borrow? The lenders would eat him alive before the deadline came.
And then... one thought surfaced.
'Do I have to become an explorer?'
The very idea made his stomach churn. He'd heard the stories. The labyrinths—ancient, living dungeons that devoured men whole. A very few returned, and those who did came back either became rich or went insane.
But staying meant certain death.
Nova clenched his fists. He had only 20,000 rubies in savings—barely a fraction of what he needed. Even if he borrowed, interest would bury him.
"I can't panic," he muttered, steadying himself. "That'll only make it worse."
Nova threw on his cloak and hurried out into the cold streets, making his way toward the Holy Church.
—
The Holy Church stood like a quiet sanctuary amidst the chaos. Inside, the prayer hall glowed softly under the white crystal chandelier. The cool marble floors shimmered, and the scent of incense hung in the air like a whisper.
Candles flickered before the statue of the Holy Lord. Only one other person was present—an elderly woman in priestess robes, kneeling in prayer.
Nova stood at the entrance, hesitant. The peace of the church was nearly enough to make him forget the weight on his back.
He closed his eyes, breathing deeply. The silence gave his thoughts room to settle, but the anxiety never left.
The priestess finished her prayer and rose slowly. Her face was kind and lined with age, her eyes warm with concern.
"Nova? You're not usually this eager to see me here. What's wrong?"
He lowered his gaze. "I received a letter. From the administrative office."
Her gentle expression faded into something more grave.
"That means the deadline is near."
Nova nodded.
"I have no choice left. I came here to inform you—I'm going to become an explorer."
She stared at him for a long moment. Then, gently, "I could help you. There are still open positions here in the church. Menial work, perhaps—but it could help."
He smiled faintly. "Thank you, priestess. But that would only delay the inevitable. I need something long-term… permanent. Something that'll help me next year, and the one after that."
The priestess sighed, regret shadowing her features. "I understand. But the labyrinth… it's not a place of mercy. It doesn't care how brave or kind you are. It devours people."
"I know," Nova said. "But I'd rather take a chance in the labyrinth than die with my hands tied."
She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Then listen closely, Nova. Trust no one in the labyrinth. Not even someone who saves your life. Not even your oldest friend."
Nova nodded, her words echoing like a curse and a blessing at once. He bowed, then turned to leave.
—
As he stepped outside, the chill wind hit him like a warning. He hadn't gone far before he heard his name.
"Nova! Wait!"
He turned to see Ryan jogging toward him, his face drawn with worry.
Ryan—his childhood friend from the orphanage. One of the few people who truly understood him. They had grown up side by side, survived the same hunger, the same nights of fear.
"You're really going to become an explorer?" Ryan asked, breathless.
Nova nodded slowly. "Yeah… I don't have a choice."
"You got the letter, didn't you?" Ryan guessed.
Nova's silence was enough.
Ryan bit his lip, then offered quickly, "Then join us. Me, Mark, Larry, and Ken—we're teaming up. We've already got the paperwork ready. You can join us. We'll have your back."
Nova hesitated.
They were all younger. They had time to train, to grow stronger. He didn't. He had two months. Two months to become someone who could survive.
"I can't," Nova said quietly. "I don't have time to take things slow. I can't afford to be careful."
Ryan didn't argue. He just nodded.
"Then at least promise me something—come find us before you leave. Even if it's just to say goodbye."
Nova smiled, genuinely this time. "I will."
After parting ways, Nova made his way through the market, toward the supply stores.
The countdown had begun. And the labyrinth was waiting.